Butterburn Flow

View of Butterburn flow nature reserve -copyright john morrison

© John Morrison

Butterburn Flow

Wild and remote area of blanket bog on the Cumbria-Northumberland border alive in spring to the haunting cries of the curlew. Cloudberry, great sundew and bog rosemary and several species of sphagnum moss are found.

Location

Near Gilsland
Gilsland
Cumbria
CA8 7BB

OS Map Reference

OS 1:50,000. Sheet no. 86
Grid reference: NY 661 765
what3words ///legend.parsnips.students
A static map of Butterburn Flow

Know before you go

Size
400 hectares
image/svg+xmlz

Entry fee

All donations are gratefully received.
image/svg+xmlP

Parking information

Roadside parking
image/svg+xml

Bicycle parking

No
image/svg+xml

Grazing animals

No
image/svg+xml

Walking trails

There are no paths on the nature reserve.

image/svg+xml

Access

There is no official access point and no signage. Access is best gained from the high point in the road at GR: NY 660 758.

The terrain is uneven, very wet and with some deep pools. Good walking boots or wellingtons should be worn and great care taken when walking on site. 

Dogs

image/svg+xmlOn a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open all year.

Best time to visit

June to August

About the reserve

Wildlife highlights

  • Fascinating bog plants, including great sundew, bog-rosemary, bog asphodel, cranberry, cottongrass. In summer look out for the distinctive white flowers of cloudberry, a plant more usually found at higher altitudes.
  • Many different species of Sphagnum moss.
  • Experience the evocative call of curlews in spring.

Border mires  

Butterburn Flow is the largest of 58 mires straddling the border between Cumbria and Northumberland, collectively known as the Border Mires.

Butterburn is bounded on two sides by the River Irthing which itself forms the border between the two counties.

During the 20th century, much of the area was planted with conifers by the Forestry Commission, forming the Kielder Forest, the largest forest in England at 50,000 hectares. 

The peat bogs within the area were generally avoided although some planting and drainage did occur on the edges of the bogs and some sites were drained in preparation for afforestation.

What makes Butterburn Flow so special?

Butterburn Flow is a blanket bog, meaning that it lies over the landscape like a wet blanket. It receives moisture from groundwater as well as from rainfall. 

Surprisingly, it’s relatively intact with a high water table as there’s been little artificial drainage in the past.

As a result, peat is still actively growing and an abundance of Sphagnum moss, which forms extensive lawns and hummocks, known as patterned mire thrives in this wet environment. 

Keeping it special

Butterburn Flow is owned by the Forestry Commission and managed by Northumberland Wildlife Trust.

Getting here

By car:

Butterburn Flow lies 15km/9.5 miles north of Gilsland. From the centre of the village, cross the River Irthing and take the first right signed for Butterburn, Gilsland Spa and Spadeadam. After 3km/2 miles, the road ahead becomes private MoD access. Bear right here  (the road is signed as a dead end). Follow this road for 8km/5 miles to Butterburn Farm and continue for a further 3km/2 miles to the end of the surfaced road. Park on the roadside near the River Irthing bridge.

By bicycle:

6.5km/4 miles from National Route 68 Pennine Cycleway (off-road route).

By public transport:

Buses run from Brampton to Gilsland (approx 15k/9.5 miles).

Contact us

Contact number: 01539 816300

Did you know?

The UK is the third most important country in the world for breeding curlew. Sadly the population has almost halved since 1990, making places like Butterburn Flow important for their survival.

Upcoming events at Butterburn Flow Nature Reserve

If there are any upcoming events at Butterburn Flow Nature Reserve we'll show them to you below.

A top down view of magazines and guides on a wood background, with wildlife and people images on the front
Protect nature - Join us!

Support our conservation work on this nature reserve

and protect wild places & wildlife in Cumbria.

  • Free entry to our nature reserves.
  • Free nature reserve guide.
  • Cumbrian Wildlife magazine three times a year with accompanying 'What's On' guide.
  • Plus more! From just £3.50 a month/£42 a year (based on Individual membership)
Click to choose your membership